Agency ramps up solarisation of public institutions and rural electrification drive as National Assembly backs expansion plan…..
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is preparing for an ambitious expansion of electricity access nationwide, unveiling plans to deliver more than 500 electrification projects in 2026 under a proposed N170 billion budget.
Managing Director of the agency, Abba Aliyu, disclosed the details while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 budget defence session organised by the House Committee on Rural Electrification in Abuja.
According to Aliyu, N100 billion of the proposed allocation has already been approved for the National Public Sector Solarisation Initiative, a flagship programme aimed at providing sustainable, cost-effective electricity to government institutions across the country.
Solar Power for Public Institutions
The initiative will prioritise the deployment of hybrid mini-grids to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), both within and outside Abuja. The move is designed to reduce dependence on the national grid, cut energy expenditure, and ensure more reliable power supply in public facilities.
Aliyu cited the National Hospital Abuja as a practical example, noting that solar-based infrastructure installed at the facility has delivered uninterrupted electricity while significantly lowering operational costs and improving service delivery.
Tailored Solutions for Communities
Beyond federal institutions, the 2026 proposal outlines a mix of electrification strategies tailored to different community needs.
For communities located near existing power infrastructure, the agency plans to undertake grid extension projects, including the installation of transformers and distribution lines to connect households and businesses to the national grid.
In agrarian settlements and clusters of cottage industries, renewable-powered mini-grids will be deployed to stimulate productivity and support economic activities. Agricultural processing hubs are also set to benefit from decentralised power solutions aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening rural value chains.
For sparsely populated or hard-to-reach communities where grid or mini-grid deployment is not economically viable, standalone solar home systems will provide basic electricity access.
“What we presented to the National Assembly are the comprehensive details of these over 500 projects scheduled for execution in 2026,” Aliyu said.
Budget Performance and Oversight
On implementation performance, the REA chief revealed that the agency achieved an 85 percent execution rate for its 2024 budget. Although releases for 2025 have been lower than expected, the agency has so far recorded 32 percent performance for the current fiscal year and anticipates improved implementation as additional funds are disbursed.
Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Electrification, Mohammed Bukar, said lawmakers were satisfied with the agency’s submissions following detailed scrutiny.
Bukar acknowledged the REA’s measurable progress in expanding electricity access through off-grid and renewable interventions across rural communities, federal institutions, and public establishments. He commended the agency’s adherence to procurement regulations and fiduciary safeguards but stressed that the committee would conduct oversight visits to project sites.
“Legislative oversight is a critical pillar of accountability,” Bukar said, adding that the committee would ensure the agency remains aligned with national development priorities.
Driving Nigeria’s Energy Transition
In recent years, the REA has positioned itself at the forefront of Nigeria’s rural electrification and clean energy transition efforts. Through programmes such as the Energising Education Programme and the Energising Economies Initiative, the agency has delivered solar hybrid power plants to federal universities, teaching hospitals, markets, and small business clusters.
Working with development partners including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the agency has deployed hundreds of mini-grids and solar home systems under the Nigeria Electrification Project, extending electricity access to millions in previously underserved communities.
These interventions have helped reduce reliance on diesel generators, lower energy costs for small enterprises and public institutions, and stimulate economic activity in off-grid areas.
With its 2026 proposal, the REA is signalling an even more aggressive push toward decentralised renewable energy, a strategy increasingly seen as critical to bridging Nigeria’s longstanding power supply gaps and advancing its energy transition agenda.
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